Hi all,

The newsletter is a bit brief today and I’ll have a new exclusive for Pro subscribers soon.

Today:

• Pesticides update

Read up,

Alex

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Following the LA Times/ WeedWeek investigation of pesticides in licensed California products, retailer Catalyst Cannabis had BelCosta Labs test several products on its shelves and found they all met California standards. CEO Elliot Lewis stressed that it was the first test in an evolving process to protect consumer safety. 

Competing retailers Sweet Flower, The Artist Tree, Cookies, Gold Flora and Embarc did not respond to requests for comment about what they were doing.

On Monday the State Senate’s Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development will discuss AB 1610  which aims to improve product safety.

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In case you missed it, a PDF of the article is now available FREE on the WeedWeek site.

Federal:

• Anti-legalization group Smart Approaches to Marijuana engaged Trump’s second Attorney General William Barr in a bid to extend the 60-day comment period on rescheduling by 30 days.
  Marijuana Moment

Business:

• The Seattle parent of Active (formerly Advanced Vapor Devices) sued a major Chinese vape manufacturer accusing it of waging a “years-long battle to unlawfully restrain competition.“
  MJBiz
• Forbes profiled Brady Cobb, the son of a Florida smuggler who now leads fast growing Sunburn Cannabis.
• The owners of newly overhauled “cannabis-forward” Las Vegas hotel The Lexi are trying to sell it.
  Casino.org
• SFGate called Planet13‘s Orange County superstore a “living nightmare.“
• MSO The Cannabist said it would exit Florida to focus on Ohio and Delaware.

State and local:

• Massachusetts’ inspector general said the state’s regulator is “rudderless” and should go into receivership.
  Worcester Business Journal
• Following a report in The City, New York state senators called for an investigation of the state’s social equity program.
• Legalization’s prospects got a boost in North Carolina.
  WRAL
• A bullish report found REC sales in Pennsylvania could surpass $2.8B. But progress on REC legislation stalled.
  MJBiz
• Colorado sued a business that allegedly marketed marijuana as hemp. As the state industry ails, the event space known as “marijuana mansion” was sold.
  Business Den
  MJBiz

Health and science:

• A study found oldsters who use cannabis enjoy substantially better quality of life.
  Marijuana Moment
• Another study found more seniors have cannabis-related disorders.
  JAMA Network
• TV personality Howie Mandel blamed weed gummies for his wife’s late night fall in their Vegas hotel room.
  Casino.org

Equity:

• Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.) issued 175,000 marijuana pardons, calling it the most sweeping such action in any state.
  AP
• Brand @missgrass celebrated “unsung queer hero” Kiyoshi Kuromiya who connects Martin Luther King Jr. and MED advocacy.

R.I.P.

• Johnny Boone, outlaw boss of Kentucky’s “cornbread mafia” died at 80.
  Louisville Public Media

Fun and interesting:

• Portland, Ore. minor league team the Pickles will be the first U.S. sports team to offer THC-beverages at games.
  @ganjapreneur

State:

• For the first time, the California State Fair will host legal sales and a consumption space.
  KCRA

Business:

• As part of its restructuring, Blüm Holdings sold its prized Santa Ana dispensary to a group called Haven Nectar LLC for $24.8M.
  Green Market Report
• StateHouse Holdings set a date to report delayed 2023 financials.

Local:

• Greenhouse hub Santa Barbara County released its annual agricultural report, which doesn’t include you know what. And a county pot tax increase in the county lost momemtum.
  KEYT, Independent.com
  
• The LA Times visits Anderson Valley, a popular tourist area in Mendocino.
  @LATimes

Recognition:

• The California Cannabis Historical Society named cultural historian and archivist Richard Jergenson to its board.
  @dr.amandareiman

Upcoming:

• Tomorrow at noon, High Times editor Ellen Holland will read from her new book Weed: Smoke it, Eat it, grow it, love it, at Jane Dispensary in Cotati (Sonoma).
• Transbay Challenge VI, in San Diego, will be on July 26.
  @thejimidevine
• Lots of brands are sponsoring Last Man Standing, an after party for fighter Nate Diaz’s July 6 bout in Anaheim.